The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford offers graduate training leading to the Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology degree. The program is administered by the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

The Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology will train students in the major techniques and disciplines commonly used in biotechnology. Course subjects may include recombinant DNA and genomics, protein production and proteomics, biological systems, drug design and development processes. In addition, students will receive direct experience with many of the analytical and testing techniques used in the biotechnology and healthcare industries. Work place related training will include an introduction to pertinent regulatory issues and practices, basic training proposal preparation and public presentation of technical topic and training in program management systems and product development processes.

A unique aspect of this program is the focus on biotechnology in medicine. Students are trained in the sciences and business practices important to biotechnology using medical applications. Scientists with industrial biotechnology experience, legal and regulatory professionals that serve the industry and practicing physicians will participate as instructors in the experience-directed course work and research activities.

Classes will also be offered in the evenings or weekends, thereby allowing students to earn their MS degree while still working full- or part-time.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following admissions requirements:

Master of Science

Baccalaureate Degree A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in a science- or engineering-related field from an accredited college or university will be required, except in special cases. Prior academic work should include college mathematics, general biology and biochemistry, general and organic chemistry, or the equivalent engineering courses.

Generally qualified candidates may be required by the department to remove specific course work deficiencies by completing selected undergraduate courses prior to matriculation or graduation.

Grade Point Average Undergraduate: At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study. Exceptions to this requirement may be considered on a case by case basis.

Postbaccalaureate: The student’s grade point average for any postbaccalaureate course work must be 3.00/4.00 or greater.

Transcripts Required Transcripts are required from all institutions where the applicant earned the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of credit toward the baccalaureate degree and from all institutions where postbaccalaureate work has been done.

Tests Required GRE General Test is required. Results should be less than 2 years old. The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants with sufficient work experience (nominally 5 years or more) in biotechnology or other science-related fields on a case-by-case basis. MCAT scores may be accepted as alternative accomplishment testing information.

Minimum English Competency Test Scores All persons who do not have English as their native language must submit the results of one of the two language skills tests

TOEFL The TOEFL score cannot be more than two years old. UIC’s Institutional Code is 1851. 550 (paper-based); Internet Based test (iBT)–total score of 80 or greater, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21. Note: Exemptions to the TOEFL requirement are as stated in the UIC Graduate College Application Instructions, page 4.

IELTS 6.5 average Band score, with subscores of at least 6.0 (Band 6: Competent user) in all subcategories (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).

Letters of Recommendation Three required. If applicant is employed one of the letters of reference must come from the employer confirming employer commitment to student participation. The other letters should be from former professors, teachers or persons who can refer the candidate based on personal experience with the candidate’s professional competence.

Personal Statement Required statement of career goals.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options: Research Project or Course-Work-Only.

Research Project Option (lab research or library paper) with written and oral final reports.

In addition to required courses and electives, students must earn 8 hours in MBT 597 (Research Project).

Research project requirement requires design, justification, and execution of a research project
and preparation of written and
oral final reports. This requirement may be met by research conducted at University of Illinois at Rockford or other
University of Illinois sites or in the laboratories of one of our
industrial/academic partners or a combination of both.

Formal defense of the research project is required.

Course-Work-Only Option:

In addition to required courses, students must complete at least 14 credit hours of electives yielding a minimum total of 34 credit hours.